We all face our own mortality. Each of us knows that one day we will be called home, whether we acknowledge this fact in quiet moments of introspection, or whether the inevitability of it slaps us in the face, we know deep down that we will one day “shuffle of this mortal coil”.
As you all know Caveman and his dear departed wife Mary went through a long battle with cancer, one which Mary eventually lost. Through it Kent was a paragon of strength, an inspiration to those of us with whom he shared the story. His love for his wife was unshakeable, the depths of his moral, emotional and physical strength were limitless, and he restored mine and many others faith in humanity and hope for the human condition. He never cursed God, rather he turned to Him for comfort and solace. Although a recovering alcoholic he never allowed the horrors of watching his wife suffer and die serve as an excuse to drown his demons. He knew all too well that they can swim better than he could drink. And he always thanked us, his friends here on this site, for the support we gave him. It was we who needed to thank him; he reminded us all what a real man, a real husband, a real Christian, was.
Now…
well now God has decide that Kent’s troubles are not over. Like Job in the Old Testament, Kent must again face the terror of cancer, this time his own. He has been diagnosed with lung and liver cancer. He was recently admitted to the hospital after a fall, and as sometimes happen things didn’t look right. Then the test results came back.
Kent has seen where this will lead and has decided accordingly. He will not fight it. He will wait to go Home and be with his wife. In his own words;
Personally, knowing what I know, I think I will be following Mary home soon. But I will not live waiting to die, don’t treat me that way, please.
I for one won’t Kent. I will celebrate that I was honored to have known a man such as you. And I will pray that you will face the last of your many challenges in life with the same courage and fortitude that you faced down all the rest.
“When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.” – Tecumseh
Fuck.
What do you need, Cave?
– MD
As always Caveman my prayers for you and your family.
And he said ” My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness”
“When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.” – Tecumseh A beautiful… Read more »
this week just keeps getting harder, I’ve refrained from saying anything about this as I just don’t have the words. First I lose a sweet and dear friend on Sunday to chronic liver and kidney failure, she was my sons best friends mother and we all were very close…..and now my brudda Cave. I will pray and pray hard, Buddy….tell… Read more »
May God grant you his strength and grace during this time Caveman, and my you be in Heaven with your beloved Mary a half hour before the devil knows you’re dead.
To quote Charles Bukowski: “We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well that Death will tremble to take us.”
I was one proud and honored to be one of Caveman’s circle during that first testing time. I was having my own time of testing, and Cave and I found ourselves giving mutual encouragement and moral support. I think Cave gave the more of it. he and I became dear friends at a distance. Now, sadly enough, I am again… Read more »
Caveman and his family will be in my prayers.
Dammit, Kent… Not that cancer is ever right or less than horrible, but to see you visited by that demon twice just breaks my heart. You’ve always, for as long as I’ve known you, been a role model to me in everything you’ve done. A role model I have all too often failed to live up to, but still a… Read more »
Even the most devoted Christians will find themselves asking at times like this, “Why?”. We think and rationalize with minds that cannot see or understand the future. We try to grasp answers that we were never meant to comprehend while in this human form. As much as it pains me to hear this news Cave. I pray the Lord will… Read more »
Caveman, you are an inspiration to us…my thoughts and prayers are with you bud.
Son of a Bitch Life just ain’t fair! 🙁
Caveman, know that each and every one of us will be by your side until you are Called Home. You have our support, our prayers. When you finally do get to go Home, give our regards to Mary. May your suffering be short, especially in light of all those that love you and wish you the best on this final… Read more »
Cave – let me know if there is anything I can do – anything. If it’s within my ability I will do it. There’s no easy way to say anything meaningful when faced with what you are – I know – been there. Words ring hollow in one’s ears – or perhaps they are just muted because you’re focused like… Read more »
Damn, Caveman. Well, just damn. Words fail.
There is much I could say, but so much of it is irrelevant. It is your choice sir, and you have my blessings (for whatever they are worth).
If there is anything this Brit can do for you, feel free to ask, either on this thread or via email (Misha has my address).
Don’t get me wrong, I intend to fight. But I will not do what Mary did. It just depends on what I hear. I hate fucking biopsies. But I do have some pain killers….after being used as a pin cushion. I will probably get two…yucko. I am not idle……already spoken with a realtor, also a friend, about short sale options.… Read more »
Whatever path you choose, Kent, know that we will right beside you. You have never left my prayers, but my heart weeps at the thought of changing the topic of them.
God bless and keep you, sir.
I’m no good with words.
Carry on my wayward son
There’ll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary had to rest
Don’t you cry no more.
If you are called, take your rightful place amongst the other guardian angels, until such time, just keep on being you
Aw, damn, Kent! I hate that disease with the burning hatred of a thousand super-novae. I hope and pray that they caught it in time. Whether they did or not, I pray God gives you the strength and inner peace to continue on. I know some will ask why God does this to people. He doesn’t do this to people.… Read more »
What proves so difficult is getting all your damn ducks in a row…..after you find them. I will be seeing ASAP the same cancer specialist my wife saw, Dr. Peria, (SP)? a real nice gal with credentials covering thirty feet of wall. Most of the little pains are gone, I expect my fractured scapula and ribs to heal in time,… Read more »
Kent, I dropped into lurker mode a few weeks ago, but when I saw this my heart sank. You have so inspired me with your bravery, loyalty and devotion during Mary’s fight. Your writings have been more eloquent than any others I’ve read in a long while. It saddens me to the core to lose you as a kindred spirit… Read more »
The same BigDogg, the same. We will have a lot of fun in the end……..well, after it anyway. Should I be called, then rotties will be mentioned by me directly, and what they are…..
It was with a heavy heart that I knew from the beginning when the testing started, what this Man among Men was likely facing. Like so many of us here, we can’t help but laugh at ourselves, me especially, speaking with this man and being within the aura that all of us who know him feel and feeling sorry for… Read more »
LC HJ Caveman82952 says:
And fight you will, as we all know and when that fight comes to it’s conclusion you will have earned that respite and more. Mary awaits and there will be no more tears and pain.
Damn, brother. I suck at checking email, so if you sent me the heads up I missed it. I am sorry to hear this, you can have no idea how much. This is so wrong…
I don’t know you…but praise you for the strength in your story which I have heard. A family member close battles on against the dreaded C as I speak…I can’t imagine the pain…but I fear that the afterlife may be more peaceful than this maddening world which we inhabit.
Crunchie………, Thank you from the bottom of my heart for writing my epitaph….. But I realized something. I now have seen this and am seeing it from all angles. Perhaps I can be of assistance to my fellows………my time may be short, it may not. Most aggravating. Explaining my shotgun approach. My attorney was sad and he is a Christian… Read more »